Winnipeg BOPA film manufacturer expands (June 21, 2003)

American Biaxis Inc.(ABI), a manufacturer of three-layer biaxially oriented polyamide (BOPA) film, is expanding in response to high demand for its products. The company, which is a majority-owned subsidiary of Winpak Ltd., is breaking ground on a 26,000 sq. ft. expansion at its Winnipeg facility this summer. Additionally, it is installing a new BOPA stretch film line. Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH will supply the machinery for the line, which is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2004. The total investment will exceed US$13 million.
"There’s still more demand for biaxally oriented nylon in North America than there is supply," says Tim Edginton, ABI’s plant manager. Edginton reports BOPA film is growing at a rate of about 8% annually.
The new three-layer line will be the company’s second, doubling the plant’s capacity. Edginton says BOPA film is used to manufacture a variety of end products, including packaging for meat, bulk shredded cheese and liquid packaging used by soft drink and other companies to transport bulk liquids.
"The liquid packaging market is one of our fastest growing business segments," says Edginton.